Exclusive: Shyamalan’s new project is ‘One Thousand A.E.’

Who said M.Night Shyamalan’s career is over? – 

M. Night Shyamalan is in town this week, working on putting together his next directorial effort which will see him working with Will Smith.

But it won’t be the secret untitled project he shopped around in June. That script, which came with Bruce Willis, Bradley Cooper and Gwyneth Paltrow loosely attached, never found a buyer and was quietly shelved.

That’s not to say Shyamalan has lost his love for secrecy — sources are saying Shyamalan is developing an ultra clandestine sci-fi project titled One Thousand A. E., being developed at Overbrook, the production company Smith runs with James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz and Jada Pinkett Smith. And unlike most of Shyamalan’s oeuvre, to which his most recent film The Last Airbender is an exception, A.E. is not written by Shyamalan.

That honor goes to Gary Whitta, who wrote The Book of Eli and Undying, his in-development Kurt Russell project.

Plot details are under lock and key although it is known that A.E. is being developed as a vehicle for Jaden Smith. There is a starring role for an adult male, although sources said Will Smith is not taking it on.

A.E. has no studio home yet although Overbrook has a first-look deal with Sony, which will likely be its home.

Source: Hollywood reporter

15 Comments

  1. Bad news: Shy is not writing. Bummer.

    Good news: his directorial style is as strong as his writing.

    Hopefully, this won’t be as kid-oriented as TLA. And less expensive, please.

  2. This is gonna be one of the most anticipated projects from M.Night than ever before. M.Night and Will Smith teaming up for a movie starting his son Jaden Smith.
    THIS IS COOOOOL!

  3. I think this is a good direction for Night to go. This will be a pretty big test of character for him, as he’ll be directing the script of another for the very first time. I think that it is going to be good for his reputation. Especially if the story is good enough.

    Also: A.E. as in After Earth? Like Titan A.E.? Time will tell.

  4. I just want more movies like Signs or Lady in the Water, The Village… And if he is not writing it… oh, I don’t know what to think about it. I´m a little bit scared of this movie. But… I’ll trust him. 🙂

  5. What happend to his new thriller?Im not happy it isnt being made, I was really looking forward to it.

  6. I can only assume his new thriller didn’t get a backer due to the backlash of Last Airbender. Couple that with the widespread talk that the “Devil” trailer was laughed at when his name popped up, and I can only asuume most studios think he’s too big a risk now. I dont agree with this, but it’s probably the best explanation.

  7. I like the direction Shyamalan is heading. His ‘Night Chronicles’ DEVIL is successful and next is REINCARNATE and now a big project with Will Smith attach to produce and Gary Witta’s script this is big. Book of Eli was great and cannot wait for this one. Shyamalan and Smith’s will break records.

  8. This is going to be one of those projects that will make people, fans, media, critics eyeing for it day after day. There is hype going on everywhere and we don’t even have any clue about its plot and Jaden’s role.

    What’s interesting is that Will Smith who is a successful producer is working with another successful producer and director like Shyamalan and we never ever thought this would happen. This is a big news and big project and it’s very clever of Night heading this way. For the first time not directing something that he wrote. I think as a writer Night does need break from writing and I am glad that his other thriller is shelved and it’s a smart move to put it away and look at it some other time.

  9. I believe that TLA2 will take longer that we thought. M.Night will focus on this movie and will direct book 2 in a few years. But thats okay if we can wait three years for a star wars movie; we can on TLA2.

  10. WOW! Shyamalan and Smith in a movie?! That will be so awesome!
    Well, I really want that Last Airbender sequel but this sci-fi movie sound incredible.
    I hope that “A.E” will be here soon 🙂

  11. it’s a pity that shayamalan is not writing this film i love it when he writes the films but if he directs it thats fine as long as it got a big twist at the end like all his movies 🙂

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